We are inclined to believe those whom we do not know because they have never deceived us.

Life consists not of a series of illustrious actions or elegant enjoyments. The greater part of our time passes in compliance with necessities, in the performance of daily duties, in the removal of small inconveniences, in the procurement of petty pleasures; and we are well or ill at ease, as the main stream of life glides on smoothly, or is ruffled by small obstacles and frequent interruption.

That all who are happy are equally happy is not true. A peasant and a philosopher may be equally satisfied, but not equally happy. A small drinking glass and a large one may be equally full, but the large one holds more than the small.

No man sympathizes with the sorrows of vanity.

It is as bad as bad can be: it is ill-fed, ill-killed, ill-kept, and ill-drest.

All imposture weakens confidence and chills benevolence.

I have adopted the Roman sentiment, that it is more honorable to save a citizen than to kill an enemy.